‘Flea market on wheels’ to help church fix broken bell

PITTSTON — Nearly 20 vendors participated in a “Flea Market on Wheels” on Saturday at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church.

It was the church’s second annual trunk sale during which participants sold a variety of goods directly from their vehicles. The event was held to raise money to fix the church’s main bell.

“We need bells,” said organizer Linda Hando, who is also the church’s secretary and a member of the Pastoral Committee. “It needs a new swinger arm and it’s going to cost around $5,000.”

Hando noted that the main bell, which rings for church services and at noon each day, stopped ringing a few weeks ago. “The people notice it’s gone.”

Towering over North Main Street, the large ornate church, which was founded in 1911, is in need of other repairs as well.

“Being a Byzantine Catholic church, we have a smaller congregation,” said the Rev. Gary Mensinger, adding that the church has roughly 130 parishioners, and from 70 to 95 usually attend the combined weekend liturgies.

“Just keeping our doors open is a challenge,” Mensinger said, adding that the trunk sale in addition to the other fundraisers the church holds throughout the year should help pay for the bell repairs.

“Five thousand dollars isn’t much, but when you’re struggling to pay bills and keep the doors open, it is a big expense. The bells are a concern, but the parking lot repairs will cost over $25,000.”

The church will hold a larger flea market on June 24 and a stuffed cabbage supper the first weekend in August.

“Another golden side of the fundraisers is that it brings about healthy camaraderie among our parishioners,” Mensinger said. “It’s truly what a church is — an imperfect family striving to be perfect together in God’s eyes. Having fundraisers does that in a very unique way.”

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Rosalie Mazzarella, of Exeter, stands by her car with Christmas plush items. The trunk sale will help fund repairs to the St. Michael’s church bell and parking lot.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052817TrunkSale_4.jpgRosalie Mazzarella, of Exeter, stands by her car with Christmas plush items. The trunk sale will help fund repairs to the St. Michael’s church bell and parking lot. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Lorraine Harmanos, left, of Duryea, buys a Corningware casserole from vendor Jo Anne Raynis, of Plains Township, at the sale.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052817TrunkSale_3.jpgLorraine Harmanos, left, of Duryea, buys a Corningware casserole from vendor Jo Anne Raynis, of Plains Township, at the sale. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Ricardo Olmedo, of Old Forge, arranges glassware for sale from his vehicle at the church trunk sale.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052817TrunkSale_2.jpgRicardo Olmedo, of Old Forge, arranges glassware for sale from his vehicle at the church trunk sale. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Brittany Smith, of Nanticoke, waits for customers at the St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church trunk sale in Pittston on Saturday morning.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052817TrunkSale_1.jpgBrittany Smith, of Nanticoke, waits for customers at the St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church trunk sale in Pittston on Saturday morning. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader